Netty Mac Muzik Newz Ago2Day is based on Netty Mac Finds and Music History. I love to learn about life and about music. I am sharing with you my lessons and then providing my personal input and experiences today based on yesterdays newz. Subscribe and SHARE at your leisure. lol Cheerz & have a HUGE day!! Netty Mac

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Friday, April 29

Today in 1967 Aretha Franklin released 'Respect'. You may have heard of it before? This is yet another timeless tune that will continue on through the generations. Regardless of whether you like the genre or Aretha's voice it all boils down to the lyrics in this one!!

Aretha Louise Franklin was born in 1942 in a 2-room house in Memphis. She learned to play the piano by ear and by 16 he was singing regularly in her fathers' Baptist Church. She is referred to by many as The Queen of Soul.

She is a singer, songwriter and pianist. She may be the queen of soul, but she has hit songs in R&B, Blues, Jazz and has even jumped over to Pop a few times. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her one of the top Greatest Singers of All Time. She has 18 competitive Grammys and 2 honorary Grammys. Aretha has 21 No. 1 singles and 45 top 40 hits. As a female Artist she has the most million-selling singles and in the genre of R&B she has 10 No. 1 Albums - more than any other female artist. Now WHY WHY WHY are stats split into sex? Kills me really. I thought we were moving ahead in the millennium. I can see why football would be segregated between the sexes, but music?!

One of my favorite songs of all time is '(You Make Me Feel) Like a Natural Woman'. This song was cowrote with Carole King and Gerry Goffin. Again - a TIMELESS SONG!

Aretha Franklin is releasing her 38th Studio Album to mark her 50th anniversary in Show business. A half of a century in the biz and she is still going strong - mind-blowing!! The album is set for relase on May 3, 2011 and it called A Woman Falling Out of Love. The kewl thang here is that she formed her own label in 2005 so the new Album will be released on Aretha's Records and she also co-produced. The first single will be 'How Long I've Been Waiting'. I personally will be anxiously awaiting her Cover song versions of Barbara Streisands' 'The Way We Were' and Carole Kings' "You've Got a Friend'.

Wednesday, April 27

Today in 1963 Little Peggy (born Margaret Annemarie Battavio, March 8, 1948 in Pennsylvania, US) hit NO.1 on the US singles charts for her song 'I Will Follow Him'. The song stayed on the Billboard charts for 3 weeks and the R&B Singles Charts for 1 week. The kewlest thang about this is that Litte Peggy March was the youngest female singer to have a US No. 1 record, let along a number one hit. How amazing to be 15 years old and have a hit and break a record.

Here is another version of the song that I am VERY partial towards. I absolutely love watching Whoopie Goldburg and her move Sister Act used Little Peggy's song. It starts out very nun, but kicks into it to the point where you just want to step away from your computer and go with the bounce in yer bum!

Little Peggy was discovered by the Producer duo Hugo and Luigi when she as thirteen years old singing at a wedding. It was these producers that gave her the name Little Peggy; she was only 4'9" and her birthday was in March. Okay, I guess that is logical hey? lol I always find it interesting how the music exec's come up with a name for the Biz that is better than the one your were born with. How kewl is it that Gretchen Wilson said NO! he he he.... Littel Peggy was only 14 when she recorded the song and was 15 when it hit number 1. That was in the day - TODAY I had to go search for the youngest recording artist and I may not be 100% correct, but whatever. he he....I found Cleopatra Straton from Romania: yountest recording artist in the world - 3 years old. Check this out!

Little Peggy was a minor and her parents were not allowed to manager her financial affairs because of the "Coogan Law" - Oh, how I have to look into that when I have time! Who on earth was the Einstein there!?? So her Manager (Russ Smith) had the honor. The was no honor in that he blew the whole fortune by the time anyone knew what was going on! Apparently Peggy only had $500 to show for the number one hit! When she graduated from High School in 1066 she got a new manager and they got married and and had a daughter in 1974. Amazing how life turns out sometimes hey?

Tuesday, April 26

Today in 1975 B.J. Thomas' song '(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song' hit number one on the Billboard music chart in the US. It is likely not a surprise for you also that the song also holds the title as being the longest song name to appear on the Billboard charts.

What was he thinking? I am assuming that his management team were all off on holidays at the time. lol In saying that, it just goes to show that a song title is not as HUGE as the industry proclaims it to be. Hmm....so now here is an opportunity to make history with very little competition! Write a song with a killer title length - oh yes and of course get it to number one. Any suggestions on a song title for me?...

B.J. Thomas (Billy Joe) born on August 7 in Oklahoma had a ton of hits from the 60's to the 80's. His first hit (break into mainstream radio) was a Hank Williams Cover: 'I'm So Lonesome I could Cry" recorded in 1968. It hit Gold at over 1 million sold and it is not bad really, however I am so partial to Hank that I won't even bother sharing that vid.

In 1968 BJ hit the goldmine once again with the song 'Hooked on a Feeling'. Now I don't care what genre you listen to, you have heard this song. If anything, it always appears at Karaoke or Name That Tune Games. I find it interesting that I would not put this song in my show, but I sure belt it out when I hear it! Here you go, sing it with me:

Okay now, I can't really blog about BJ Thomas unless we talk about 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head'. This song has such great memories for me when I was a little girl. The video is about as hokey as the song, but come on! Hokey is kewl sometimes right? Love love love this song. It doesn't matter what is happening in my life, what mood I may be in; when I hear this song it just puts a bounce in my bum...."because I'm free; nothin's worrying me"....

After 4 decades in the music industry and sales in excess of 70 million albums, BJ Thomas is a name that will be forever instilled in the music history books. We may not always recall his name when we are asked to cite the greats, but when a blog like this happens and you are reminded of his contributions to music - maybe his name won't be so far in the back of the mind when asked to cite in the future. What I find amazing is that he has crossed over from Country to Pop in the Charts for 40 years - now THAT is an achievement! He is still going strong; he has a new CD out. Check out his website: http://www.bjthomas.com/

Monday, April 25

Today in 1954 Johnnie Ray (John Alvin Ray Jan 10, 1927 – Feb 24, 1990) soared to the number 1 on the UK charts with his song 'Such a Night'. Johnnie was an American singer, songrwiter that played a mean piano. He was most popular in the 1950's and it has been said that he was a integral part of the Rock and roll evolution for his jazz and blues-influenced music. More than anything though, he was considered a pioneer of Rock and Roll because of his animated stage personality.

Amazing talent when you consider that he was deaf in one ear due to an accident at a Boyscout event when he was 13 years old. He had a hearing aid to help him out. Have you ever heard someone sing when they have headphones on and cannot hear themselves? PAINFUL isn't it? Now imagine what an accomplishment it was to get a number one hit with 50% hearing loss!! Johnny Ray had surgery in New York that left him almost completely deaf in BOTH ears and he STILL continued to sing with the assistance of hearing aids.

Here is Johnnie Ray's FIRST Number One Hit: 'Such a Night':

In my opinion Ray had it going on! The talent in light of his hearing loss is one thing, but he was also a very kind and generous man that was very adept in business. Whether he intended to or not, one of his roads took him to Judy Garland in 1969 where he then opened up for many of her last concerts. What a trip that must have been to the likes of Sweden, Copenhagen and Denmark to name just a few. He also became very close friends with Judy and was the Best Man at her Wedding.

Johnnie was also an actor and appeared in 4 movies and had several TV appearances. Some kewl tidbits about Johnnie is that he appeared in the Billy Idol Video 'Don't Need a Gun' and he is also mentioned in the first verse of Billy Joel's song 'We Don't Start the Fire'

Johnnie Rae was ahead of his time with his style and delivery. To me, he was a little Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley all rolled into one.
Here is my personal favorite Johnnie Ray song:

Saturday, April 23

Swimming with the Dolphins in Cabo San Lucas was absolutely Surreal! I recommend it to everyone! I swam, kissed and rode the Dolphin and can say that there is absolutely nothing like this experience on this planet!

Tuesday, April 19

Today in 1980 Blondie hit No. 1 in the US, Canada and the UK for the song 'Call Me'. Blondie was a 1970's New Wave band. They were considered an eclectic mix of musical genre's including disco, rap, pop and reggae. Now that is quite the mix of styled don't you think? Rap and pop - sounds like an oxymoron to me!! 'Call Me' charted at number one for six weeks in both the US and Canada. It was the signature song of the Richard Gere movie American Gigalo. Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac was originally asked to lay down the song, but had to decline because of a new contract she had signed with a label. I wonder how Stevie would have sounded laying down 'Call Me' - I bet it would have been killer - as long as the Blondie beat was still there...likely wouldn't have been though. Everything happens for a reason right??

Blondie was formed by Debbie Harry and Chris Stein. It would just be sick and wrong to not mention one of my fave songs by Blondie: 'Heart of Glass'. Timeless! I especially love the na-na-na-na na's in the backup vocals along with the ooh-ooh's. You will hear very similar backups on my Album. The bass drum in the song took an entire day in the studio, the snare took an entire day, the work that went into this song is amazing. I found a live version that has a very special spoken message from Debbie right before my favorite oohs and ah's - SMOKIN MESSAGE - still applies today!!:

Now lets talk 'One Way or Another'. Come on - who doesn't like this song? I am a country bumpkin and dig this tune in a big way. It has such attitude that you can't help but fall into the hook of the song with the attitude style of singing it.

Blondie broke up in the 80's and then reunited in the 90's. This band is still rocking it out folks! How kewl is that to get to hang on to yesterday for 3 decades? I am not sure how I feel about that, except that I can only imagine how engaging it must be for Debbie to sing Heart of Glass for the gazillionth time! lol I say this in a facetious tone as I would consider myself very fortunate to get to do the same thing!! Here they are all grown up. LOL

Monday, April 18

Today in 1939 Gene Autry (Orvon Eugene Autry; September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998) recorded 'Back in the Saddle Again'. Orvon, I have never heard this name before, have you? I think I would have gone with Gene as well. Autry worked as a telegrapher on the railway after school and would pass the time by singing and playing his guitar. A customer (by the name of Will Rogers!) eventually talked Gene into going professional.

'Back in the Saddle' was Gene Autry's signature song but was not his first hit. Gene's first hit was a 1932 duet with Jimmy long called "That Silver-Haired Daddy Of Mine". How pure those days were with the language! The degradation of the media since these times is horrifying to me.

'Back in the Saddle' was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1997. What on earth took so long?? This one just doesn't make sense to me. Here is a kewl vid I found for "Back in the Saddle':

Did you know that Gene Autry wrote 'Here Comes Santa Clause'? His other HUGE hits were Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Santa Clause is coming to town. His voice is perfect for the Christmas songs in my opinion; so crisp and clear and calming - trusting * soothing. Check out this video, what an era!

I used to watch and listen to Gene Autry with my Grandma (mentor). I idolized everything about my Grandmother and all she loved I inherently loved. She was a Gene Autry Fan (also Boxcar Willy and Johnny Cash) so I am very fond of this music. It holds so many memories for me.

Friday, April 15

TODAY in 1966 Buffalo Springfield hit the big stage for the first time as the opening act for The Byrds. Not a bad opening show hey? Buffalo Springfield was the first step on the music career ladder for band members Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richard Furay and Jim Messina. This lineup of talent is mind-blowing when you look at the members' accomplishments over the last 40+ years!! Buffalo Springfield were only together for 2 years and made 3 studio Albums.

Stills went on to form Crosby Stills & Nash with David Crosby of The Byrds and Graham Nash from the Hollies. Neil Young went on to a solo career but reunited with Crosby Stills & Nash here and there. Here is one of my fave Cr/St/Na/Yo tunes:

Furay and Messini went on to form the band Poco. Poco has had many band members over the years and is still touring today. Here is my favorite song by Poco:

Buffalo Springfield's biggest hit was 'For What It's Worth'. Many people call the song Stop Children Whats That Sound. LOL - this is what happens when you don't put the title of the song in the lyrics. I can say however that sometimes even though the title of the song is there, folks will still refer to tunez as they deem fit. lol I have actually changed the name of a song or two because peeps could not recall what I deemed to be the hook aka title of the song. I was obviously wrong in my interpretation of what the hook in the song was..... 'For What It's Worth' is considered a protest song from the time that speaks to the police brutality towards the younger protesters during the Vietnam War. Here is the song - enjoy and listen from the perspective of how fantastic it would be if this song were re-released TODAY! The message is paramount in today's society and what is going on around the world:

Thursday, April 14

Today in 1967 (What a HUGE YEAR!!) the Bee Gees released 'New York Mining Disaster 1941'. This song was their first English single. So get this! This was the first single to hit the United States and it was very successful - not so shocking right? Well the get this part is that there were rumors that the Bee Gees were actually the Beatles. The Bee Gees was a pseudo name for Beatles Group.

REALLY? So listen to the song, do you hear the Beatles?

MOST DEFINITELY IN MY OPINION - WOW!!

This song was inspired by 1966 Aberfan mining disaster in Wales. Interesting tidbit for musicians is a quote by Maurice Gibb in an interview with Mojo magazine: "The opening chord doesn't sound like a conventional A minor. Barry was using the open D tuning he'd been taught when he was nine, and I was playing it in conventional tuning. It gives an unusual blend. People went crazy trying to figure out why they couldn't copy it.'

Okay, so this is just ironic. I blogged yesterday on Grease the Musical and Movie and Album and just everything about one of my fave iconic moments in music history. So guess who wrote Grease - sang by Frankie Valli? Uh HUH! - Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees! They actually performed the song in their concerts in the late 70's. That is so Kewl! The Bee Gees are a very talented group and their awards attest to their talent! Check them out on Wikipedia!

Okay, so it would just be sick and wrong to Blog about The Bee Gees and not mention their number one hit of all time 'Stayin' Alive'. Here you are - enjoy and reminice:

Wednesday, April 13

Today in 1980 the Broadway production of Grease closed in New York City. It grossed over 8 million dollars! The Broadway production is based on the Blockbuster Movie from 1979 (of which I have seen too many times to count!) and is about love, cars and drive-ins. The story line is about working-class teenagers at Rydell High School in 1959. Have you seen the Broadway Production before? I would love to hear from you if you had an opportunity to see this play - please comment.

Seriously though - do you know ANYONE that has not heard of Rydell High or Grease Lightning? I get into such a zone when I watch this movie!! While I watch the movie (and also listen to my favorite 50's tunez) I find myself wishing that I was born during this era. Then I find myself saying to myself: "Self - bobby-socks and dresses? ugh...maybe not!" LOL

One of my favorite parts of the Move is the "Grease Lightning" Scene. Hot! Hot! Hot! I know, it is hokey and the acting is not likely what it could have been, but come on! GO GREASE LIGHTNING! Now the racing that went down in those days is definitely right up my alley! Love to drive fast and like to win as well so yep - right up my alley! This car is systematic...hydromatic (not a word by the wya!)....lame - who choreographed this? kidding kinda - it is funny to see how far we have come in today's cinematography though AND HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED WHAT DANNY DOES WITH THE SIRAN WRAP ON THE CAR HOOD? X-rated even by today' standards - not even notices in the 70's though how ironic: LMAO

I got chills.

They're multiplyin'.

And I'm losin' control.

'Cause the power

you're supplyin',

it's electrifyin'!

You better shape up,

'cause I need a man

and my heart is set on you.

You better shape up;

you better understand

to my heart I must be true.

Nothin' left, nothin' left for me to do.

I get chills just reading the lyrics. It is so kewl when Sandy takes on the gangsta look and Danni is in is heard-earned letter sweater. You're the one that I want should be brought back don't you think? hmmmm - should I put it into a set list? Who would sing it with me??

Now I have to go get my Grease Fix! The hardest part is deciding which of my collection I will dive into. I have 'Grease on 8-track tape, record, cassette, CD, beta video, VHS video and DVD - I dare you to listen to the soundtrack on a Record and did you know that the original LP has 4 sides? That's right - 2 records. - who wants to have "Grease" movie party with me?? (no dresses required - promise!)

Tuesday, April 12

Today in 1961 Ray Charles won 3 Grammy's - one of them being Best New Male Vocalist for his song "Georgia On My Mind". Ray Charles is the undisputed Pioneer of Soul music. (Okay, of course you may dispute it, but if you do, please comment and advise me who it is that should have the title - I'll even mail you a Free Netty Mac Shirt and Ball Cap if you prove me wrong - which wouldn't be the first tine for me. lol - comment and lets play the game.....) I have yet to meet a Ray Charles song that I did not like - the mans voice just captivates me every single time!! I love this quote my Billy Joel: "This may sound like sacrilege, but I think Ray Charles was more important than Elvis Presley. I don't know if Ray was the architect of rock & roll, but he was certainly the first guy to do a lot of things . . . Who the hell ever put so many styles together and made it work?" Ray Charles most certainly had a huge part in the integration between country and pop music. Sounds like an oxymoron doesn't it? lol

All these years, I thought that 'Georgia On My Mind' was Ray's song, but it was actually first written in 1930 by Stuart Gorrell and the music was composed by Hoagy Carmichael. Here is the original version of the song - Ray definitely added his own special flavor to the tune:

Ray Charles recorded 'Georgia On My Mind' in 1960 on the album The Genius Hits the Road. How fitting that the state of Georgia (also where Ray was born) adopted the song as their "State Song" in 1979. Willie Nelson (also a fellow Ray Charles Fan) took "Georgia On My Mind" to number 1 on the Country Charts. Bumpkins just loved it - me being one of those Country Bumpkins...

Ray Charles was ranked by Rolling Stone in 2004 as number 10 on the list of '100 Greatest Artists of All Time' and in 2008 as number 2 on the list of '100 Greatest Singers of aAll Time'. Talk about a diversified fellow - did you know that Ray was also in 13 movies? Google it - you will be blown away by the Box Office hits that he appeared in.

'Georgia On My Mind' is just one of those songs that you want to dance the dance with the one you love. It has such a groove that it empowers you to dance with such emotion that you may as well be making love in public....which is what (in my humble opinoin) a slow dance well executed equates to! Seriously though - listen to the song again and picture yourself in love and dancing (as though no one is watching) - yummmmeeee!! Here is Ray's reaction to the dancing/making love in public thang:

Monday, April 11

Today in 2001 Lee Ann Womack's Album hits double-platinum with her single "I Hope You Dance". I rank this song in my top 20 songs of all time; the writing and instrumental hooks are absolutely amazing!!

The song "I Hope You Dance" was a very successful crossover song hitting #1 on the Billboard Country Chart and the Top 15 of the Billboard Hot 100 at number 14. In consideration that Lee Anne Womack' music was most often compared to Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette, it was a great statement for Country Music when she hit the Billboard Hot 100 list.

By the end of 2000, "I Hope You Dance" won the Country Music Association's "Song of the Year" and "Single of the Year" awards. With it's pop success Lee Anne also made the covers of People and time Magazine. I think one of the Hugest events that happened for Lee Ann was that in December of 2000 she performed "I Hope You Dance" at the annual Nobel Peace Prize concert. You know you have an amazing song WHEN you are singing it at the Nobel Peace Prize concert!

I DARE you to not like this video! (BTW - the two children in the video are Lee Ann's - how Kewl is that?!):

Lee Anne Womack hit the goldmine with "I Hope You Dance" and justifiably so. She is a very talented Artist in my books and her awards speak for themselves: 3 Acadamy of Country Music Awards, American Music Award, 4 Country Music Association Awards, Grammy Award, Billboard Music Award, British Country Music Award